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Palo Alto 13-year-old all-stars bow in NorCal final

By john reid

Daily News Staff Writer

Posted:
07/17/2014 10:09:05 PM PDT

Updated:
07/17/2014 11:32:37 PM PDT

VALLEJO -- Palo Alto manager Steve Sinchek had the first-place trophy in his hands, albeit for a few moments. Alas, the NorCal Babe Ruth League 13-year-old all-stars title eluded Sinchek and the Palo Alto stars, who lost 10-0 to Tri-Valley in Thursday's title game at Vallejo's Wilson Park. Palo Alto needed to defeat Tri-Valley to force a winner-take-all game.

The way Tri-Valley southpaw Tyler Coulson pitched, it wasn't going to happen. Coulson tossed all six innings in the mercy-rule shortened game, allowing just one hit, a leadoff single to Robert Lopez. Coulson had 12 strikeouts, whiffing the side in the top of the sixth. Coulson -- who walked Spencer Rojahn in the second and Lopez in the third -- set down the final 10 batters in order. Palo Alto hit just three balls to the outfield.

"He mixed it up a lot," said Sinchek of Coulson. "He kept us off-balance and threw a lot of strikes."

The result was a lot different than Tuesday's winners bracket battle, won by Tri-Valley 4-3.

"We played a lot better the other day," Sinchek said. "We had too many errors this game."

Palo Alto committed seven errors, contributing to seven unearned Tri-Valley runs. Palo Alto did make a few good defensive plays. Left fielder Jackson Yandle threw out Connor Lawrence at the plate in the fifth inning. Yandle fielded a base hit, then threw a one-hopper to the plate where Palo Alto catcher Christian Wagner made the tag. Lopez, playing in center, caught a threatening line drive off the bat of Josh Giffins in the third inning.

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Third baseman Joshua Kasevich fielded had a grounder get away from him in the third inning. Kasevich retrieved the ball, then threw out Josh White at the plate on a close play.

White was one of Tri-Valley's top hitters, contributing three singles and two RBIs. Lawrence had three hits, including a double, scoring three runs. Dylan Lawlor two hits, as did Coulson, whose RBI single ended the game.

Rojahn pitched the first four innings for Palo Alto, leaving with his club down 4-0.

"I felt I pitched well," said Rojahn, who didn't play in the District 6 tourney. "They have big guys on their team and they hit the ball hard."

"I was hoping I'd get more hits," said Lopez, who played for Ada's Cafe during the regular season. "I was hoping the team would have more hits, too. Their pitcher had a really good fastball and he threw his curveball for strikes. He hit his spots."

Sinchek was first given the championship trophy at the postgame awards presentation. The runner-up trophy isn't too shabby, measuring just under 4 feet tall.

Tri-Valley, a perennial Babe Ruth League all-stars power based in San Ramon, has had a 13-year-old all-stars team win the NorCal title six straight years. On this night, Palo Alto was no match for the likes of Tri-Valley and the lefty Coulson.

"It could have been better," Lopez said. "That's the way the ball bounces."